Easy guitar solos

[Gurney]

I've just been reading the "Greatest solos" thread. A lot of inspiring stuff there. But much of it too hard for me!

I was wondering if people had advice for the weaker player. I'm still learning to bend in tune, so I'm looking for something that sounds great but could be used as a "study"

Also acoustic stuff that's effective without Flamenco style speed!

TABs/midi file/even sheet music links appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Colin]

Okay the easiest solo ever would have to be "I wanna be sedated" by The Ramones

 

[robelinda2]

californication- RHCP
when i come around- greenday
Smells like teen spirit- Nirvana
money- Pink floyd
anything off santana's last 3 albums
please forgive me- bryan adams
bon jovi stuff is ok too
more than a feeling- boston

tons more i could add but i'll stop there!

 

[DrKev]

I'm still learning to bend in tune, so I'm looking for something that sounds great but could be used as a "study"

In terms of bending, I do remember a few years back a lesson in some guitar magazine or other used Steve Lukather's solo on "I won't hold you back" (on the TOTO IV album) as an example of a very simple solo that only works if you bend the notes just right. Listen very carefully to the timing of the bent notes and the speed at which he bends them. It can be a tricky piece to pull of just right. (In fact many of the classic Toto ballads contains similar sorts of solos - a simple almost repeating melody lines but where the note bending is incredibly important. The solos on "Anna" and "A thousand years" on the album "The Seventh One" come to mind).

Also check out the Toto instrumental "Don't stop me now". The guitar work is very simple but when you really listen carefully you see how well Luke uses vibrato, note bending, picking dynamics and basic left hand hammer ons and pull offs to change the texture and feel of notes (because they are not picked)

Then go back and listen to some old Jeff Beck stuff. His original version of "'Cause we ended as lovers" is amazing and well worth the time to try to get the main melody down.

Robert Cray is another guitar player that you can learn a lot from in terms of feel and timing of bent notes. His solos on "I shiver", "Stay go", and "Passing By" on the album "Shame and a Sin" come to mind as 'must listens'.

 

[Kevan]

Okay the easiest solo ever would have to be "I wanna be sedated" by The Ramones

+1


When I'd play this at bars on Long Island, I'd change the single notes into these cool mini sweeps I do. The hardcore Ramones fans didn't giggle, but I sure as hell did.
LOL

 

[Gurney]

DrKev
I haven't really listened to Toto, but I appreciate this suggestion:

Then go back and listen to some old Jeff Beck stuff. His original version of "'Cause we ended as lovers" is amazing and well worth the time to try to get the main melody down.

I have a transcription of the whole of that! The opening melody is exactly the sort of thing I need to get right -- especially the vibrato.

I'm currently practising the bends in the verse to Gary Moore's "Story of the blues". Not as exciting as the solo -- but very effective music.

robelinda2

money- Pink floyd
anything off santana's last 3 albums

I've been wanting to play like Dave Gilmour for a while now! Santana too.

I have magazines going back a few years. I play bass and rhythm quite well. I want to get into lead now.

 

[glockaxis]

Journey, Don't Stop Believing

 

[DrKev]

I'm currently practising the bends in the verse to Gary Moore's "Story of the blues". Not as exciting as the solo -- but very effective music.

The main melody line on "Still got the Blues" would be another good one, as might "Parisian Walkways" (from his Thin Lizzy days I think). Another from his older days would be the "Empty Rooms" solo, which is beautiful.

 

[edensdad]

Most of Angus Young from AC/DC's solos are pretty simple - cool, but simple.

(I love AC/DC)

 

[Gurney]

DrKev

"Parisian Walkways" (from his Thin Lizzy days I think).

Great choice.
Apart from the flurry of notes at the end of the solo, I have the whole lead part to a song. And I can replace the fast bit with a simplified line for now. I played along to the version on the "Best of Thin Lizzy" compilation.

Cheers.
For the sense of achievement and progress!

Still working on the Jeff Beck piece. I've got the melody. It's the vibrato that sounds really off.

 

[Ali]

Toto's Rosanna was the first solo I actually sat down and learned properly. Still ove playing it. It's simple, melodic but challenging enough to keep you coming back.